PROBLEM A: 1NT.
An inverted-minor bid in diamonds (1
- 2
) is common with only four-card support, but the jump to 3
should have five. I don't recall ever making this jump with only four-card support. To do so "feels" wrong, so I rule it out for the moment.
This leaves the mild maneuvering choice of 1
(in an effort to land in what I think is the best contract of 2
), and the "value-bid" of 1NT.
It's a close call for me. A coin flip. At the table, I probably respond 1NT. But I like the science of the 1
response.
I'm not ready to commit, but I lean toward the vanilla, bog-standard, value-bid of 1NT.
PROBLEM B: 2NT.
I see what is probably five sure tricks if I choose to defend. However, the spades are just not robust enough for a penalty pass.
2NT looks about right on values, and only slightly misdescribes my shape, so is a strong contender.
The most flexible call is a cuebid of 2
. But flexible to what end? What does it accomplish?
PROBLEM C: 4
.
A complete guess. My nature here is to pass. It’s a flat hand with a weak five-card major. It’s nothing special. But I have come to realize that on hands that are close between a conservative pass and an aggressive call, it is more often best to take the high road.
That’s a weak argument, but it’s all I’ve got.
This one is a tough decision for me.
PROBLEM D: b(4). 1
then 2NT.
1. The b(3) option, 1
– 1NT – 2
, a reverse, is an uncomfortable misdescription of my hand. Half my points are in doubleton suits, which is not what partner will expect. It does not accurately describe where my “stuff” is. I may be totally off base, but I doubt this gets more than 3 or 4 panel votes.
2. The b(2) option, 1
– 1NT – 2
, rebidding my doubleton, is the ”book bid” with this shape IF I had an Ace less. A silly option.
3. The b(1) option, 1
– 1NT – Pass is even more silly. For obvious reasons.
That leaves only two viable options . . .
4. b(4), 1
– 1NT – 2NT, upgrading a 5-card major 17 count to 18-19, or
5. (a), 1NT, calling a 17 point hand a 17 point hand.
I know I’m not revealing new information here, since this is such a common treatment; opening 17 point 5332 hands with a five-card major with 1M intending a 2NT rebid is common (Expert-Standard if there is such a thing). I do it frequently, but NOT always. I would guess over 80% of the time.
When do I not do it? When the suit quality of the major is so poor that it does not warrant the upgrade. In those cases, I open it 1NT. The suit quality of this heart suit is awful.
KT642. So it’s an auto-1NT right?
Not so fast. Change the hand just a tiny bit to:
KQ2 -
KT642 -
A92 -
AJ
That hand I open 1NT. The five-card major is garbage. This “flatter” 5332 hand is worth less than the MSC problem hand. The KnR for almost any 5332 combination of these cards (hearts remaining intact) is under 17.
The clincher, then, that improves the value of this MSC hand is the fourth spade. KnR = 18.0
So it’s b(4) for me.
PROBLEM E: 3
.
With four diamonds, rather than three cards in clubs, I would prefer to set up the diamonds.
I get the “I need more help in
“ argument, and it may be best. 3
would also permit partner to offer a counter-try of 3
if he had no help in clubs.
This is an interesting problem. I guess we’ll find out how the big boys think regarding game-tries.
PROBLEM F: 2
.
Not confident. 2
could be right, keeping the bidding a level lower. However, 3
has the added benefit of taking the opps 3
bid away.
[Added]: I see now this is Matchpoints, which I missed. Oops! I changed this for that reason alone.This is a complete guess.
PROBLEM G: 1NT!
Probably would have done this last round. But here we are.
Both 2
and Pass also possible with 2
likely the vanilla solver call.
PROBLEM H:
9.
Down the middle. This should be popular with just about everyone. Second choice is the safe, give-nothing-away
9.
[Added]: Initially went with the Jack, still guaranteed to get plenty of votes. But I changed to the 9 for the reasons listed.
The J is only correct when dummy has Hx or declarer has KQx or Qxx and hopefully we can wait on those holdings. It's just wrong in all other cases like Hxx in dummy, Kxx in declarer's hand missing the Q.
SOLUTIONS FOR:
Todd Holes
Glen Ellyn IL
U.S.A.
PROBLEM A: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM B: 2 Notrump
PROBLEM C: 4 Spades
PROBLEM D: (b4)
PROBLEM E: 3 Diamonds
PROBLEM F: 2 Spades
PROBLEM G: 1 Notrump
PROBLEM H: Club 9
I may be wrong, but I get the feeling this set will produce a lot of similar answers. This typically results in very high scores. So I'm guessing something like a 730 will be required to make the honor roll.